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Red Rock Canyon
I took a drive out to the Red Rock Canyon Conservation area today and was amazed that it was just 5 miles from the western boundary of Summerlin. Not many communitites that close to natures’ wonders. The Red Rock Conservation area is a great day trip for hikers, bicyclists or anyone looking to commune with nature. The scenic drive, which takes you to an elevation of over 4700 feet is 13 miles and dotted with lookouts. The visitors center was built in 1982 and Red Rock Canyon hosts many fun and educational events. Hikes and interpretive presentations are offered daily. I noticed, as I drove through the Canyon, that there are still earmarks of the fire of 2006. As part of the restoration process, over 8000 pounds of seed was dropped by airplane in October of 2006. There are 19 hiking trails from easy to strenuous and the hiking times range from 1.25 hours to 4.5 hours. Turtlehead Peak is the most strenuous. This hike (which I did not attempt) takes you to the shoulder of the peak at 6324 feet in elevation. As you hike the trails and explore Red Rock Canyon you can see petroglyphs and pictographs some of which are thousands of years old. The daily fee is only $5. Quite a bargain for getting in touch with nature! Just click on the Red Rock Canyon link to find out more.
